**Thoughts on Sinning

        We fail God when we sin. Every time I sin, I know that I have failed the test, so I asked the Lord not to test me to the point I would fail. Then I realize that as long as I love him, he will honor that, for love does strengthens us and makes us more impervious to sin.  

**What Christ to Me Is Like

        If I were a jigsaw puzzle, Jesus would be the exact missing piece I need to complete me.  

**Need for Prayer*

        As long as evils still exists among us, the Lord needs us to pray hard and unceasingly for our survival and his glory. 

***Focusing on Ourselves First***

        At Mass this morning I heard the prayer asking the Lord to shine light upon the POpe, the bishops, and the priests. It struck me that when we ask the Lord to favor us in some way, it's because we need to soften our hearts and be open and willing to change. So we need to pray for ourselves first. In fact, the Lord is always eager to bless and sanctify us. If we get out his way, we'll receive the favors we need.

***To Do Great Things for God

        The Lord God can create anything he wants. He can change anything too except in our case where he needs us to give him permission, as he respects our free will. So when we say yes to him, he can change us as much as we'll let him. Knowing this should open our minds and get us excited. Exercise your free will wisely that you may do great things for the Lord. 

***Never Risk Your Soul

        We all shall die one day. We can wait until sometime later or the moment before we die to get ready for meeting the Lord. I chose to accelerate the whole process by seeking to attain union with God in advance. This is being wise and prudent. Putting off the inevitable in this case amounts to playing Russian roulette with your soul. 

*Praising My Lord*

        Communion experience. Christ is most precious to me, my true treasure. He fulfills me completely. He is the one to be with and hold onto for ever.  

**No Less Blessed than the Apostles

        The Lord God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Christ came to us two millennia ago and is with us now. We should live as if he is right among us on earth. We are no less blessed than the Apostles.

**Poignant Scenes**

        Today's Gospel reading from Luke 17 is about the day of coming of the Son of Man. Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left." First, it's clear that the Lord should be more important to us than ourselves. If we are willing to lose our life for the Lord's sake, we shall be saved. This totally makes sense. The scenes describing "one will be taken, the other left" is disturbing or even terrifying. If you do care about your loved ones, you'd better do you utmost to love them, trust in the Lord and pray for them. 

***God Makes Us Beautiful***

        Communion experience. I have the Lord now. His love and beauty make me forget all my ugliness.